College Fit Beyond Rankings: What Really Matters

It's tempting to let a number define where your student should go to college. Rankings are everywhere, and they promise something reassuring: a simple, objective way to measure quality. But here's the truth that often gets lost in the noise: the "best" college for your student isn't necessarily the one at the top of a list. It's the one where they'll thrive, grow, and find their path forward.

When building a college list, think about it this way: student success has far more to do with fit than with prestige. Students who feel a strong sense of belonging at their institution are significantly more likely to graduate and actually enjoy their college experience. Yet fit is much harder to quantify than a ranking, which is precisely why it's often overlooked.

Why Rankings Don't Tell the Whole Story

Most rankings rely heavily on factors like acceptance rates, test scores, endowment size, and faculty resources. These metrics can tell you something about a school's resources and selectivity, but they don't tell you much about whether your student will be happy there or whether the environment supports the way they learn best.

The college application process has changed drastically since parents applied to schools.  With the introduction of the Common App, schools are seeing many more applicants than ever before.  As a result, we are seeing admissions rates drop, and schools that once had high acceptance rates are becoming more and more selective with each application cycle.

Here's a sobering statistic: about one in three students who start at a four-year college transfer to a different school before graduating. While there are many reasons students transfer, a mismatch between the student and the college environment is one of the most common. Students leave schools where they feel disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsupported, regardless of where that school ranks.

What Actually Affects Student Success

So what should you be evaluating instead? Here are the factors that really make a difference:

Academic Support Systems

Does the college provide accessible advising, tutoring, and mentoring? We've seen that students who regularly connect with advisors stay enrolled at higher rates and make better progress toward their degrees. This isn't rocket science; students need support, especially during that critical first year. Look for schools with strong first-year programs, peer mentoring, and academic support that's easy to access, not buried in bureaucracy.

“For our kids who have identified learning challenges, we always strongly encourage them to meet with the appropriate department (Student Success, Student Disability Office - they all go by different names) prior to the start of their freshman year.  Orientation can often be an ideal time to schedule this meeting.  This meeting is important to establish which accommodations will be honored by your school.” -- Katie Garrett

Class Size and Teaching Approach

You've probably heard about student-to-faculty ratios, but here's what matters more: who's actually teaching your student’s classes? At some prestigious universities, those renowned professors you've heard about aren't teaching introductory courses; graduate students are. Or they're teaching 200-person lectures where your student is just a seat number.

Ask specific questions: What's the average class size in your student's intended major? Who teaches those first-year courses? Can students actually meet with professors outside of class, or is access limited?

“We work with each of our students to determine what type of learner they are. This is helpful knowledge when selecting a college and when selecting your classes.  For example, if you are a kinesthetic learner who learns through hands-on work, going to a large university with 60,000 kids with large lecture classes may not be the best environment for you, or you may need to think through strategies to make this environment more conducive to your learning style.” -- Katie Garrett

Campus Culture and Community

This one's harder to measure but incredibly important. Does your student feel like they belong? Can they see themselves thriving there? Students who feel connected to their campus community are more successful, period. And this goes beyond having clubs and activities; it's about whether your student sees people like themselves succeeding, whether the institution's values align with their own, and whether they can genuinely imagine calling that place home.

“It’s important to reiterate to students that the feeling of belonging in a community takes time. Between social media and well-meaning adults commenting, ‘these are the best 4 years of your life,’ many students feel pressure that things should click on day 1.  Touring a campus as a part of your college exploration is important and can give you that gut feeling about a campus fit.  Don’t abandon that feeling in the first month when things get tough.  You are living on your own for the first time, classes are accelerated and can be tough, and you are out of your comfort zone. There will be rough days, no matter where you are - know that it will pass.” -- Katie Garrett

Career Services and Internship Opportunities

Here's a compelling number: nearly 70% of students who complete an internship receive a job offer from that employer. That's huge. But not all colleges provide equal access to these experiences. A school's location matters, but so does its network. What partnerships does the school have with employers? How strong is the alumni network in your student's field? What's the track record of the career services office in actually helping students land meaningful opportunities?

“While we encourage our students to get acclimated to their new environment, we also encourage them to visit the career center early and often.  The application process for summer internships starts earlier than many students expect (sometimes a year ahead of time).  Making a habit of stopping in at career services allows you to keep on top of opportunities, workshops, job fairs, etc.” -- Katie Garrett

Mental Health and Wellness Support

Let's talk about something that doesn't always make it into the glossy brochures. More than 60% of college students experience overwhelming anxiety during their time in school, and many struggle with depression. The availability and quality of mental health services can make an enormous difference in whether a student can navigate these challenges and stay on track.

Don't be shy about asking: How long is the wait for counseling appointments? What wellness programs exist? How does the campus culture address mental health? These aren't nice-to-have questions; they're essential.

“We see vast differences between what mental health services colleges offer.  It is important for students to know which services are available and how to use them.  It is best to seek out this information before you need the services.” -- Katie Garrett

Retention and Graduation Rates

These numbers tell you a lot about how well a school supports its students. If a college has a four-year graduation rate below 50%, dig deeper. Why are students taking longer or leaving? The national average for six-year graduation rates hovers around 63%, but schools with strong support systems and a good student-environment fit often graduate more than 80% of their students. That gap tells you something important about institutional support and student satisfaction.

Also, pay attention to the retention rate, the rate at which freshmen return for a second year.  This can be an indicator of the freshman year experience.

Making Fit Personal

The challenge with fit is that it's deeply individual. What feels right for one student might feel completely wrong for another, even within the same family. A campus that feels vibrant and energizing to one student might feel overwhelming to another who thrives in a quieter, more intimate environment.

When you visit campuses, encourage your student to trust their gut. Pay attention to how they react. Do they seem energized? Can they picture themselves there? Are they asking questions because they're genuinely curious, or because they feel like they should? Sometimes the schools that look perfect on paper don't feel right in person, and that's valuable information.

The Bottom Line

Choosing a college is one of the first big decisions your student will make, but it doesn't have to be driven by rankings. The goal isn't to get your student into the most prestigious school that will accept them. The goal is to find a place where they can grow, succeed, and build a foundation for the life they want to create.

When you shift your focus from "best" to "best fit," the decision becomes clearer. You're no longer chasing someone else's definition of success. You're helping your student find the place where they belong, and that makes all the difference.